The press box is buzzing, as my fellow members in the media begin to prepare for tonight's showdown in Gamecock country. Carolina stayed in the same hotel as us, and this morning, the Gamecock players were upbeat, but also very focused. There were smiles all over, but no one was goofing or joking around. They look tonight like they mean business.

Right now, the special teams units from both teams are on the field. Noting the missed PATs and field goals from last week's Arkansas-Alabama slugfest, both kickers are taking the extra practice to make sure they're on target tonight.

Unlike last time, when the Gamecocks threw on the black uniforms, South Carolina is going with the garnet jerseys tonight. The reason, from sources up here, is heat related, as the garnet uniforms don't absorb as much heat as the black jerseys do, and with temperatures still in the 80s, Spurrier wants his team as well rested and cool as possible.

The student section is filing into the stadium, and they seem pumped and ready to go. Everyone is dressed in red and the sounds of "GO COCKS!" are alreading echoing their way around Williams-Brice Stadium. Meanwhile, on the opposite side, the Auburn band continues their warm up, and a small but visible contingent of Tiger fans are making some noise of their own.

It should be a classic SEC matchup tonight in Columbia...and we're just an hour away from kickoff!